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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thanksgiving Traditions, Recipe & Funnies

Traditions are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and every American family has their own way of celebrating. From stuffing the turkey to taking in a football game, here are the five most popular.

1. From the first Thanksgiving to today's turkey burgers, turkeys are an American tradition dating back centuries. According to the National Turkey Federation, 95 percent of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving. Regional twists offer variations on the traditional roasted bird, including coffee rubbed turkey from Hawaii, salt encrusted turkey from New England, and deep fried turkey from the South.


2. Throughout the United States, football on Thanksgiving Day is as big a part of the celebration as turkey and pumpkin pie. Dating back to the first intercollegiate football championship held on Thanksgiving Day in 1876, traditional holiday football rivalries have become so popular that a reporter once called Thanksgiving "a holiday granted by the State and the Nation to see a game of football."

3. The first American Thanksgiving Day parade was held in 1920, organized by Gimbel's Department Store in Philadelphia, not Macy's as most people believe. The NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade tradition actually began in 1924, and has grown into an annual event of balloons, bands, and floats, enjoyed by more than 46 million people each year in person and on TV.



4. Does your family fight over the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey? Known as a "lucky break" the tradition of tugging on either end of a fowl's bone to win the larger piece and its accompanying "wish" dates back to the Etruscans of 322 B.C. The Romans brought the tradition with them when they conquered England and the English colonists carried the tradition on to America.

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!




This recipe is one I got from A Taste of home and have used it many times during the holidays... it is a fun appetizer to make...

Turkey Cheese Ball


INGREDIENTS :
2 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese
6 ounces deli smoked turkey, finely chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

DECORATIONS:
3 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
Brown, orange and yellow paste food coloring
6 large oval crackers
1 large sweet red pepper
1 small yellow summer squash
1 cup pecan halves
Assorted crackers

DIRECTIONS:
In a small mixing bowl, beat the first six ingredients until combined. Shape into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Divide among four small bowls. With food coloring, tint one bowl brown, one dark orange and one light orange (using yellow and orange); leave one bowl plain. Transfer each mixture to a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of each bag. For turkey tail feathers, decorate the top halves of large oval crackers with tinted cream cheese. Using the red pepper, form the turkey head, neck and snood. For beak, cut a small triangle from summer squash; attach with cream cheese. Add eyes, using brown and plain cream cheese. Insert pecan halves and decorated crackers into cheese ball. Serve with assorted crackers. Yield: 1 cheese ball (3 cups). I used Townhouse Oval Bistro crackers
Until Later

Hugs And Kisses

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Afternoon, sweet Donna! I loved learning about the Thanksgiving traditions. Now what was that guy looking for under the cabinets? That's a cute litle turkey cheese ball!! Sounds yummy too! Thanks for coming to see me on Pink Saturday.
Be a sweetie and have a wonderful weekend,
Shelia ;)

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Donna, I loved your fun facts!! Hey, I am actually feeling really good!!! I am feeling like celebrating the holidays now!!
Hugs, Terrie

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Donna how sweet you are girl to want to add my Mama to your ribbon this is just so kind of you I don't know what to say and for me thats something...I would feel very honored to have you do that..as I just lost my Mama last year...God bless..Oh thanks for coming by my silly PINK Saturday girl...hugs and smiles Gloria

SmilingSally said...

I enjoyed refreshing thanksgiving facts. Thanks. That turkey cheese ball is a wonder; I don't know that I'd have the patience to do it, but it would be fun to try.

Anonymous said...

That is a cute Thanksgiving ball, you'll have to give me some tips on assembling it. It looks very festive.

Hugs,
Chris

Bridget said...

The Etruscans huh? I love learning new things while visiting my bloggy friends!
Happy Thanksgiving, Bridget

Lisa (aka) French said...

I just assumed that the parade had started with Macy's cool stuff you have here dearest one;) You need to quit tooting my horn like that people will talk (lol) For the record I do have one publisher I think might be interested in me~~(smiles) French;)

Hootin Anni said...

I don't think I've ever been here to visit with you. But, I've seen your name on a few comments here and there.

Just wanted to stop by and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving! [Love the turkey cheese ball too! That's clever]

Four Paws and Co said...

Thanks for the great post! Yummm, the turkey cheese ball looks and sounds delicious! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration! ☺ Diane

Lin said...

YUMMMY recipes! And the turkey jokes had me belly laughing!!!!! GOOD JOB, Donna!

Anonymous said...

Hey Darling Donna! That Cheeseball looks yummy but too pretty to eat! (LOL) How are you on this brisk and chilly Saturday??? Be sure to stay warm!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Donna

Anonymous said...

Duh, I'm an idiot! I see that turkey hiding!! I guess I looked too quick. That's pretty cute!
Be a sweetie and have a beautiful Sunday,
Shelia ;)

Sue said...

Donna I always burned Yankee candles and my walls were terrible! I don't think I've ever burned a wick with lead in it. The guy at the shop said jar candles burn hotter than cake candles, so we'll see, I hope he's right because we just painted less than a year ago! TTYL! xo

Kathy said...

Donna I loved reading all the thanksgiving traditions and the pics and jokes were funny, esp the turkey hiding under the lampshade.

We usually have Turkey at Christmas in England but since living in the USA we now have it at Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's a good job we like it haha. hugs, Kathy.

ksarra said...

Thanks for the smiles! Your recipes look DELICIOUS and that turkey lamp picture is tooooo funny!

Bo said...

Cute & fun post Donna...I think I'll try that recipe for a Christmas gathering...sounds delicious & easy...my 2 favorite things. Have a jolly weekend...
;-) Bo

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Informative and funny! Enjoyed your post. Love the cheese ball. I'd just hate to see anybody dip into it. laurie

nikkicrumpet said...

Very funny stuff...and some interesting info too! My favorite is the "TURKEY LAMP" lol...that had me chuckling pretty good!

Melissa Miller said...

Hello Donna, You share the neatest recipes and facts with us. The turkey cheese ball is precious! ~Melissa

Ginger said...

Hi Donna:
I love those funny pictures, especially the guy on the floor looking for the turkey.
The only traditions my family has is to eat all day long and watch football. It's going to seem strange this year though, with no one visiting. First time since I got married that we will be by ourselves. I guess the nest is really empty. lol.
Ginger

Jill said...

Hi Donna! It's 1:22am and I thought I'd stop in to visit one of my favorite people! :) I am so ready for Turkey day! It's a day of good eating and a day to create new family memories!

Anonymous said...

I love the sound of that recipe. Alas, I think the construction of the said Turkey is beyond my skills and desire to wow my two guys. However, it looks great. I copied the recipe because I can make it and serve it in a scooped out bread bowl or lovely bowl.

I love that the turkey was hiding under the lampshade.

Baba said...

Hi Donna, I love fried turkey and it gives the men something to do while the woman are in the kitchen.. I remember going to my High School Football games on Thanksgiving day and eating after the game in the early evening..of coarse I had to wear a Mum corsage and dress up in a skirt!!!I like to watch the parades on TV, while drinking my coffee.as kids we would fight over the Wish bone to break it after it had dried out!!!

I will try this turkey cheese ball at Thanksgiving ... I have tagged you for a short meme..
Hugs, Baba

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Donna that pic with the guy looking for the turkey just cracked me up! Do people really buy live turkeys? hee hee!

Happy thanksgiving!

Jerry and Suzy said...

Cheese ball idea is great! We won't do it this year, but we're gonna save the recipe and picture. Thanks for sharing!

Gone said...

Great FACTS...and cartoons!

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